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Polymers
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Polymer Surface Modification: From Structure to Properties
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Polymer Surface Modification: From Structure to Properties

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Processing and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 October 2023) | Viewed by 31045

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Eun Je Lee

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Guest Editor
Advanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeollabuk-do 56212, Korea
Interests: radiation; modification of materials; polymer; metal oxide; cyclotron; proton; neutron
Dr. Naved Azum

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Guest Editor
Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Interests: physico-chemical behavior of mixed amphiphilic systems; amphiphiles as solubilizing and delivery systems of hydrophobic drugs; synthesis and characterization of noble surfactants; physico-chemical behavior of surfactant-polymer mixed system; synthesis, characterization and applications of metal nanoparticles

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The structure of materials is one of the critical factors that determine various mechanical and chemical properties of materials. For polymers in particular, intensive studies are being performed to obtain better properties, such as higher mechanical strength and higher chemical resistance, by engineering both the macroscopic and microscopic structure of polymers. The microscopic structure can be prepared from 0D to 3D, and the macroscopic structure can be various combinations of them. Because there exist an uncountable number of combinations, the physical and chemical properties of polymers can be finely controlled by carefully adjusting their structure.

The aim of this Special Issue is to understand the mechanisms underlying changes in polymer properties induced by a structure change and the relationship between the structure of polymers and their properties. In addition, we invite contributions concerning property characterizations and applications of structure-modified polymers. We hope that researchers working on these topics will provide valuable contributions to this Special Issue of Polymers.

Dr. Eun Je Lee
Dr. Naved Azum
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • preparation, formation, and synthesis of polymer structures
  • modification of micro- and nanostructures of polymer surfaces
  • characterization of property changes induced by modification of polymer structures
  • applications of structure-modified polymers
  • polymer thin films
  • polymer micro- and nanoparticles.

Published Papers (15 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 11678 KiB  
Article
Experimental Investigation of the Peel Strength of Artificial Leather and Polypropylene Specimens
by Deokrae Kim, Youngshin Kim and Euysik Jeon
Polymers 2023, 15(21), 4217; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym15214217 - 25 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1028
Abstract
This study investigates the surface properties and adhesive strength of polypropylene (PP) in order to enhance the bond between PP injection-molded specimens and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) synthetic artificial leather. Plasma, primer, and flame treatments were applied to the surface of each specimen prepared [...] Read more.
This study investigates the surface properties and adhesive strength of polypropylene (PP) in order to enhance the bond between PP injection-molded specimens and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) synthetic artificial leather. Plasma, primer, and flame treatments were applied to the surface of each specimen prepared using the two types of injection molds. The surface morphology, surface roughness, and contact angle were analyzed, and peel-strength analyses and a morphological inspections of the peeled specimens were performed. The peeling strength of the PP injection molding was measured, followed by a morphological examination of the peeled specimens. The plasma and flame treatments improved the peel strength, and the plasma and flame treatments changed the rough exterior to a hydrophilic surface, improving the peel strength. In addition, the primer treatment exhibited a lower peel strength than did the other treatments. This confirmed the low adhesion of the primer to the hydrophobic PP surface. The outcomes of this study can be employed across a multitude of industries that require improved adhesion for PP injection molded products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Surface Modification: From Structure to Properties)
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15 pages, 4310 KiB  
Article
A Study on Aqueous Dispersing of Carbon Black Nanoparticles Surface-Coated with Styrene Maleic Acid (SMA) Copolymer
by Jaeseon Lee, Jihyun Bae, Woonjung Kim and Seungho Lee
Polymers 2022, 14(24), 5455; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14245455 - 13 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2351
Abstract
Carbon black (CB) particles tend to aggregate in aqueous solutions, and finding an optimum dispersing condition (e.g., selection of the type of dispersant) is one of the important tasks in related industries. In the present study, three types of styrene maleic acid (SMA) [...] Read more.
Carbon black (CB) particles tend to aggregate in aqueous solutions, and finding an optimum dispersing condition (e.g., selection of the type of dispersant) is one of the important tasks in related industries. In the present study, three types of styrene maleic acid (SMA) copolymer dispersants were synthesized, labeled respectively ‘SMA-1000’, ‘SMA-2000’, and ‘SMA-3000’, which have 1, 2, and 3 styrene groups in their repeating units. Then, asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AsFlFFF) was employed to measure the particle size distributions of the aqueous CB dispersions. For the particle size analysis of the CB dispersions, dynamic light scattering (DLS) showed relatively lower reproducibility than AsFlFFF. AsFlFFF showed that the use of SMA-3000 yielded a CB dispersion with the most uniform particle size distribution. When the SMA-3000 dispersant was used, the particle size tended to increase after 1 h of milling as the milling time increased, probably due to the re-agglomeration of the particles by excessive milling. The particle size distributions from AsFlFFF were consistent with the colorimetric observations. With the SMA-3000 dispersant, the lowest L∗ value was observed after 1 h of milling. The AsFlFFF and colorimetric analyses suggest that a stable CB dispersion can be obtained by either 3-h of milling with the SMA-2000 or 1-h of milling with the SMA-3000. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Surface Modification: From Structure to Properties)
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16 pages, 2652 KiB  
Article
Poly(3-hexylthiophene)-Based Organic Thin-Film Transistors with Virgin Graphene Oxide as an Interfacial Layer
by Eyob N. Tarekegn, Mastooreh Seyedi, Igor Luzinov and William R. Harrell
Polymers 2022, 14(23), 5061; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14235061 - 22 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1173
Abstract
We fabricated and characterized poly(3-hexylthiophene-2, 5-diyl) (P3HT)-based Organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) containing an interfacial layer made from virgin Graphene Oxide (GO). Previously chemically modified GO and reduced GO (RGO) were used to modify OTFT interfaces. However, to our knowledge, there are no published [...] Read more.
We fabricated and characterized poly(3-hexylthiophene-2, 5-diyl) (P3HT)-based Organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) containing an interfacial layer made from virgin Graphene Oxide (GO). Previously chemically modified GO and reduced GO (RGO) were used to modify OTFT interfaces. However, to our knowledge, there are no published reports where virgin GO was employed for this purpose. For the sake of comparison, OTFTs without modification were also manufactured. The structure of the devices was based on the Bottom Gate Bottom Contact (BGBC) OTFT. We show that the presence of the GO monolayer on the surface of the OTFT’s SiO2 dielectric and Au electrode surface noticeably improves their performance. Namely, the drain current and the field-effect mobility of OTFTs are considerably increased by modifying the interfaces with the virgin GO deposition. It is suggested that the observed enhancement is connected to a decrease in the contact resistance of GO-covered Au electrodes and the particular structure of the P3HT layer on the dielectric surface. Namely, we found a specific morphology of the organic semiconductor P3HT layer, where larger interconnecting polymer grains are formed on the surface of the GO-modified SiO2. It is proposed that this specific morphology is formed due to the increased mobility of the P3HT segments near the solid boundary, which was confirmed via Differential Scanning Calorimetry measurements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Surface Modification: From Structure to Properties)
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13 pages, 2444 KiB  
Article
Fire-Retardant Property of Hexasubstituted Cyclotriphosphazene Derivatives with Schiff Base Linking Unit Applied as an Additives in Polyurethane Coating for Wood Fabrication
by Nurul Atiqah Mohd Taip, Zuhair Jamain and Ismawati Palle
Polymers 2022, 14(18), 3768; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14183768 - 08 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1407
Abstract
A series of new hexasubstituted cyclotriphosphaze derivatives containing Schiff base linkages were successfully synthesized and characterized. The series contains different terminal substituents of pentyl and tetradecyl. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen (CHN) elemental [...] Read more.
A series of new hexasubstituted cyclotriphosphaze derivatives containing Schiff base linkages were successfully synthesized and characterized. The series contains different terminal substituents of pentyl and tetradecyl. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen (CHN) elemental analysis were used to characterize the intermediates and final compounds, while the thermal stability of the final compounds is evaluated with a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) test. The final compounds are physically added to the polyurethane coating formulation and then applied to the wood panel using a brush and the compound’s fire-retardant properties are evaluated using the limiting oxygen index (LOI) test. In this research, compound 3b showed good thermal stability compared to compound 3a. In terms of LOI results, polyurethane with an LOI value of 21.90% was employed as a matrix for wood coating and the value increased to 24.90% when this polyurethane is incorporated with 1 wt.% of the compound 3b. The increase in the LOI value indicates that the wood coating containing hexasubstituted cyclotriphosphazene compounds exhibits excellent fire-retardant properties as additives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Surface Modification: From Structure to Properties)
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11 pages, 4082 KiB  
Article
Hydrophobic Modification of Wood Using Tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane
by Mingwei Tang, Xueren Fang, Bowen Li, Meng Xu, Haiyan Wang and Shuang Cai
Polymers 2022, 14(10), 2077; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14102077 - 19 May 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1559
Abstract
Hydrophobic surfaces have aroused considerable attention because of their extensive potential applications. In this work, we developed a facile strategy for fabricating hydrophobic and anti-fouling surfaces on wood substrates. The modification was accomplished simply by immerging wood into the tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4H) modifier solution [...] Read more.
Hydrophobic surfaces have aroused considerable attention because of their extensive potential applications. In this work, we developed a facile strategy for fabricating hydrophobic and anti-fouling surfaces on wood substrates. The modification was accomplished simply by immerging wood into the tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4H) modifier solution for 5 min. The D4H modified wood was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and energy dispersive spectrometer. The result shows that the D4H modified wood had good hydrophobicity, and the water contact angle of wood in the radial and cross sections reached 140.1° and 152°. In addition, the obtained hydrophobic wood surface also showed anti-fouling properties, UV resistance and could withstand the tape peel test and finger wiping. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Surface Modification: From Structure to Properties)
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17 pages, 9227 KiB  
Article
Enhancement and Evaluation of Interfacial Adhesion between Active Screen Plasma Surface-Functionalised Carbon Fibres and the Epoxy Substrate
by Yana Liang, Xiaoying Li, Mauro Giorcelli, Alberto Tagliaferro, Costas Charitidis and Hanshan Dong
Polymers 2022, 14(4), 824; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14040824 - 21 Feb 2022
Viewed by 1551
Abstract
This paper investigated the modification of the advanced active screen plasma (ASP) technology on PAN-derived carbon fibres (CFs) with gas mixtures of N2-H2 and N2-H2-Ar, separately. A more-than-30% improvement was found in the interfacial shear strength [...] Read more.
This paper investigated the modification of the advanced active screen plasma (ASP) technology on PAN-derived carbon fibres (CFs) with gas mixtures of N2-H2 and N2-H2-Ar, separately. A more-than-30% improvement was found in the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) between the modified CFs and the epoxy substrate in the resulting composites, as disclosed by single fibre push-out tests. Based on the study of surface morphology, surface chemistry and water-sorption behaviour, the interfacial adhesion enhancement mechanisms were attributed to (1) the increased chemical bonding between the introduced functional groups on the fibre surface and the matrix; (2) the improved surface hydrophilicity of CFs; and (3) the enhanced van der Waals bonding due to the removal of surface contaminations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Surface Modification: From Structure to Properties)
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15 pages, 3987 KiB  
Article
Surface Modification of Curcumin Microemulsions by Coupling of KLVFF Peptide: A Prototype for Targeted Bifunctional Microemulsions
by Rungsinee Phongpradist, Wisanu Thongchai, Kriangkrai Thongkorn, Suree Lekawanvijit and Chuda Chittasupho
Polymers 2022, 14(3), 443; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14030443 - 22 Jan 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2225
Abstract
Curcumin is one of the most promising natural therapeutics for use against Alzheimer’s disease. The major limitations of curcumin are its low oral bioavailability and difficulty in permeating the blood–brain barrier. Therefore, designing a delivery system of curcumin to overcome its limitations must [...] Read more.
Curcumin is one of the most promising natural therapeutics for use against Alzheimer’s disease. The major limitations of curcumin are its low oral bioavailability and difficulty in permeating the blood–brain barrier. Therefore, designing a delivery system of curcumin to overcome its limitations must be employed. KLVFF, a peptide known as an amyloid blocker, was used in this study as a targeting moiety to develop a targeted drug delivery system. A prototype of transnasal KLVFF conjugated microemulsions containing curcumin (KLVFF-Cur-ME) for the nose-to-brain delivery was fabricated. The KLVFF-Cur-ME was developed by a titration method. A conjugation of KLVFF was performed through a carbodiimide reaction, and the conjugation efficiency was confirmed by FTIR and DSC technique. KLVFD-Cur-ME was characterized for the drug content, globule size, zeta potential, and pH. A transparent and homogeneous KLVFF-Cur-ME is achieved with a drug content of 80.25% and a globule size of 76.1 ± 2.5 nm. The pH of KLVFF-Cur-ME is 5.33 ± 0.02, indicating non-irritation to nasal tissues. KLVFD-Cur-ME does not show nasal ciliotoxicity. An ex vivo diffusion study revealed that KLVFF-Cur-ME partitions the porcine nasal mucosa through diffusion, following the Higuchi model. This investigation demonstrates the successful synthesis of a bifunctional KLVFF-Cur-ME as a novel prototype to deliver anti-Aβ aggregation via an intranasal administration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Surface Modification: From Structure to Properties)
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11 pages, 2554 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Characterization of Microwave-Assisted Copolymer Membranes of Poly(vinyl alcohol)-g-starch-methacrylate and Their Evaluation for Gas Transport Properties
by Mallikarjunagouda Patil, Shridhar N. Mathad, Arun Y. Patil, Muhammad Nadeem Arshad, Hajar Saeed Alorfi, Madhu Puttegowda, Abdullah M. Asiri, Anish Khan and Naved Azum
Polymers 2022, 14(2), 350; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14020350 - 17 Jan 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2088
Abstract
Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is an excellent membrane-forming polymer and can be modified with potato starch and methyl acrylate monomers to obtain copolymers with improved physical and chemical properties. The study presents the synthesis of poly(vinyl alcohol)-g-starch-poly(methyl acrylate) PVA-g-St-g-PMA copolymers using microwave irradiation technique [...] Read more.
Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is an excellent membrane-forming polymer and can be modified with potato starch and methyl acrylate monomers to obtain copolymers with improved physical and chemical properties. The study presents the synthesis of poly(vinyl alcohol)-g-starch-poly(methyl acrylate) PVA-g-St-g-PMA copolymers using microwave irradiation technique and potassium persulfate initiator. Solution casting and solvent evaporation methods were adopted for the fabrication of polyvinyl alcohol-g-starch-acrylamide composite membranes. The synthesized graft copolymer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermal analysis. The modified nanocomposite membranes were showed very promising results with the parameters permeability and selectivity. The nanocomposite membranes exhibited the advantages of easy handling and reuse. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Surface Modification: From Structure to Properties)
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17 pages, 9412 KiB  
Article
Substituted Organotin Complexes of 4-Methoxybenzoic Acid for Reduction of Poly(vinyl Chloride) Photodegradation
by Angham G. Hadi, Sadiq J. Baqir, Dina S. Ahmed, Gamal A. El-Hiti, Hassan Hashim, Ahmed Ahmed, Benson M. Kariuki and Emad Yousif
Polymers 2021, 13(22), 3946; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13223946 - 15 Nov 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2452
Abstract
Poly(vinyl chloride) suffers from degradation through oxidation and decomposition when exposed to radiation and high temperatures. Stabilizers are added to polymeric materials to inhibit their degradation and enable their use for a longer duration in harsh environments. The design of new additives to [...] Read more.
Poly(vinyl chloride) suffers from degradation through oxidation and decomposition when exposed to radiation and high temperatures. Stabilizers are added to polymeric materials to inhibit their degradation and enable their use for a longer duration in harsh environments. The design of new additives to stabilize poly(vinyl chloride) is therefore desirable. The current study includes the synthesis of new tin complexes of 4-methoxybenzoic acid and investigates their potential as photostabilizers for poly(vinyl chloride). The reaction of 4-methoxybenzoic acid and substituted tin chlorides gave the corresponding substituted tin complexes in good yields. The structures of the complexes were confirmed using analytical and spectroscopic methods. Poly(vinyl chloride) was doped with a small quantity (0.5%) of the tin complexes and homogenous thin films were made. The effects of the additives on the stability of the polymeric material on irradiation with ultraviolet light were assessed using different methods. Weight loss, production of small polymeric fragments, and drops in molecular weight were lower in the presence of the additives. The surface of poly(vinyl chloride), after irradiation, showed less damage in the films containing additives. The additives, in particular those containing aromatic (phenyl groups) substitutes, inhibited the photodegradation of polymeric films significantly. Such additives act as efficient ultraviolet absorbers, peroxide quenchers, and hydrogen chloride scavengers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Surface Modification: From Structure to Properties)
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14 pages, 7100 KiB  
Article
Surface Modification of Polyurethane Membrane with Various Hydrophilic Monomers and N-Halamine: Surface Characterization and Antimicrobial Properties Evaluation
by Chi-Hui Cheng, Han-Cheng Liu and Jui-Che Lin
Polymers 2021, 13(14), 2321; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13142321 - 15 Jul 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2804
Abstract
Reducing microbial infections associated with biomedical devices or articles/furniture noted in a hospital or outpatient clinic remains a great challenge to researchers. Due to its stability and low toxicity, the N-halamine compound has been proposed as a potential antimicrobial agent. It can be [...] Read more.
Reducing microbial infections associated with biomedical devices or articles/furniture noted in a hospital or outpatient clinic remains a great challenge to researchers. Due to its stability and low toxicity, the N-halamine compound has been proposed as a potential antimicrobial agent. It can be incorporated into or blended with the FDA-approved biomaterials. Surface grafting or coating of N-halamine was also reported. Nevertheless, the hydrophobic nature associated with its chemical configuration may affect the microbial interactions with the chlorinated N-halamine-containing substrate. In this study, a polymerizable N-halamine compound was synthesized and grafted onto a polyurethane surface via a surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) scheme. Further, using the sequential SI-ATRP reaction method, different hydrophilic monomers, namely poly (ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA), hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and [2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl) ammonium hydroxide (SBMA), were also grafted onto the polyurethane (PU) substrate before the N-halamine grafting reaction to change the surface properties of the N-halamine-modified substrate. It was noted that the chains containing the hydrophilic monomer and the polymerizable N-halamine compound were successfully grafted onto the PU substrate. The degree of chlorination was improved with the introduction of a hydrophilic monomer, except the HEMA. All of these hydrophilic monomer-containing N-halamine-modified PU substrates demonstrated a more than 2 log CFU reduction after microbial incubation. In contrast, the surface modified with N-halamine only exhibited significantly less antimicrobial efficacy instead. This is likely due to the synergistic effects caused by the reduced chlorine content, as well as the reduced surface interactions with the microbes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Surface Modification: From Structure to Properties)
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16 pages, 1897 KiB  
Article
Biophysico-Chemical Properties of Alginate Oligomers Obtained by Acid and Oxidation Depolymerization
by Anna Zimoch-Korzycka, Dominika Kulig, Żaneta Król-Kilińska, Barbara Żarowska, Łukasz Bobak and Andrzej Jarmoluk
Polymers 2021, 13(14), 2258; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13142258 - 09 Jul 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2140
Abstract
The aim of the study was to obtain alginate oligosaccharides by using two degradation methods of sodium alginate (SA): with hydrochloric acid (G—guluronate, M—mannuronate and G + M fractions) and hydrogen peroxide (HAS—hydrolyzed SA), in order to assess and compare their biological activity [...] Read more.
The aim of the study was to obtain alginate oligosaccharides by using two degradation methods of sodium alginate (SA): with hydrochloric acid (G—guluronate, M—mannuronate and G + M fractions) and hydrogen peroxide (HAS—hydrolyzed SA), in order to assess and compare their biological activity and physico-chemical properties, with an attempt to produce gels from the obtained hydrolysates. The efficiency of each method was determined in order to select the fastest and most efficient process. The ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), the ability to scavenge DPPH free radicals, rheological properties, Fourier Transformed Spectroscopy (FTIR) and the microbiological test against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were performed. In order to check the functional properties of the obtained oligosaccharides, the texture profile analysis was assessed. The hydrolysis yield of acid SA depolymerization was 28.1% and from hydrogen peroxide SA, depolymerization was 87%. The FTIR analysis confirmed the degradation process by both tested methods in the fingerprint region. The highest ferric reducing antioxidant power was noted for HSA (34.7 µg), and the highest hydroxyl radical scavenging activity was obtained by G fraction (346 µg/Trolox ml). The complete growth inhibition (OD = 0) of alginate hydrolysates was 1%. All tested samples presented pseudoplastic behavior, only HSA presented the ability to form gel. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Surface Modification: From Structure to Properties)
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17 pages, 3751 KiB  
Article
Effect of Femtosecond-Laser-Structured Injection Molding Tool on Mechanical Properties of the Manufactured Product
by Krisztián Kun and Zoltán Weltsch
Polymers 2021, 13(13), 2187; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13132187 - 30 Jun 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1921
Abstract
During the injection molding process, the melt travels with a flow due to friction. As the velocity of the layers next to the wall is less than that of those flowing in the middle of the channel, a fountain flow is formed at [...] Read more.
During the injection molding process, the melt travels with a flow due to friction. As the velocity of the layers next to the wall is less than that of those flowing in the middle of the channel, a fountain flow is formed at the melt front. The temperature of the polymer surface decreases from the melt temperature to the contact temperature after contacting the mold surface. Based on all this, a complex shell–core structure is formed in injection-molded products, which can be influenced by the processing parameters and the surface of the tool insert. This paper focuses on investigating the effect of the microstructures replicated from the insert to the polymer product on its mechanical properties. During the research, two microstructured surfaces were created, with different effects on the melt flow formed by the femtosecond laser. These were compared with a ground insert to analyze the effects. For examining the effect of technological variables on the mechanical properties, an experimental design was used. The structure created by the femtosecond laser on the surface of the tool influenced the mechanical properties of the polymer products. Recognizing the effect of microstructures on the melt front and, through this, the change in mechanical properties, a predefined polymer product property can be achieved. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Surface Modification: From Structure to Properties)
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11 pages, 2613 KiB  
Article
Impact of Macrodiols on the Morphological Behavior of H12MDI/HDO-Based Polyurethane Elastomer
by Shazia Naheed, Mohammad Zuber, Mahwish Salman, Nasir Rasool, Zumaira Siddique, Mohammed Rafi Shaik, Mohammed A. F. Sharaf, Abdelatty Abdelgawad, Doumbia Sekou and Emad Mahrous Awwad
Polymers 2021, 13(13), 2060; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13132060 - 23 Jun 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2417
Abstract
In this study, we evaluated the morphological behavior of polyurethane elastomers (PUEs) by modifying the soft segment chain length. This was achieved by increasing the soft segment molecular weight (Mn = 400–4000 gmol−1). In this regard, polycaprolactone diol (PCL) was [...] Read more.
In this study, we evaluated the morphological behavior of polyurethane elastomers (PUEs) by modifying the soft segment chain length. This was achieved by increasing the soft segment molecular weight (Mn = 400–4000 gmol−1). In this regard, polycaprolactone diol (PCL) was selected as the soft segment, and 4,4′-cyclohexamethylene diisocyanate (H12MDI) and 1,6-hexanediol (HDO) were chosen as the hard segments. The films were prepared by curing polymer on Teflon surfaces. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was utilized for functional group identification in the prepared elastomers. FTIR peaks indicated the disappearance of −NCO and −OH groups and the formation of urethane (NHCOO) groups. The morphological behavior of the synthesized polymer samples was also elucidated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques. The AFM and SEM results indicated that the extent of microphase separation was enhanced by an increase in the molecular weight of PCL. The phase separation and degree of crystallinity of the soft and hard segments were described using X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was observed that the degree of crystallinity of the synthesized polymers increased with an increase in the soft segment’s chain length. To evaluate hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, the contact angle was measured. A gradual increase in the contact angle with distilled water and diiodomethane (38.6°–54.9°) test liquids was observed. Moreover, the decrease in surface energy (46.95–24.45 mN/m) was also found to be inconsistent by increasing the molecular weight of polyols. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Surface Modification: From Structure to Properties)
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12 pages, 1821 KiB  
Article
Towards a Long-Chain Perfluoroalkyl Replacement: Water and Oil Repellent Perfluoropolyether-Based Polyurethane Oligomers
by Liying Wei, Tugba D. Caliskan, Philip J. Brown and Igor Luzinov
Polymers 2021, 13(7), 1128; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13071128 - 02 Apr 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2029
Abstract
Original perfluoropolyether (PFPE)-based oligomeric polyurethanes (FOPUs) with different macromolecular architecture were synthesized (in one step) as low-surface-energy materials. It is demonstrated that the oligomers, especially the ones terminated with CF3 moieties, can be employed as safer replacements to long-chain perfluoroalkyl substances/additives. The [...] Read more.
Original perfluoropolyether (PFPE)-based oligomeric polyurethanes (FOPUs) with different macromolecular architecture were synthesized (in one step) as low-surface-energy materials. It is demonstrated that the oligomers, especially the ones terminated with CF3 moieties, can be employed as safer replacements to long-chain perfluoroalkyl substances/additives. The FOPU macromolecules, when added to an engineering thermoplastic (polyethylene terephthalate, PET) film, readily migrate to the film surface and bring significant water and oil repellency to the thermoplastic boundary. The best performing FOPU/PET films have reached the level of oil wettability and surface energy significantly lower than that of polytetrafluoroethylene, a fully perfluorinated polymer. Specifically, the highest level of the repellency is observed with an oligomeric additive, which was made using aromatic diisocyanate as a comonomer and has CF3 end-group. This semicrystalline oligomer has a glass transition temperature (Tg) well above room temperature, and we associate the superiority of the material in achieving low water and oil wettability with its ability to effectively retain CF3 and CF2 moieties in contact with the test wetting liquids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Surface Modification: From Structure to Properties)
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Review

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21 pages, 970 KiB  
Review
Research Progress of a Pesticide Polymer-Controlled Release System Based on Polysaccharides
by Zan Zhang, Ni Yang, Jie Yu, Shuo Jin, Guangmao Shen, Hanqiu Chen, Nima Yuzhen, Dong Xiang and Kun Qian
Polymers 2023, 15(13), 2810; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym15132810 - 25 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2167
Abstract
In recent years, with the development of the nanomaterials discipline, many new pesticide drug-carrying systems—such as pesticide nano-metal particles, nano-metal oxides, and other drug-carrying materials—had been developed and applied to pesticide formulations. Although these new drug-loading systems are relatively friendly to the environment, [...] Read more.
In recent years, with the development of the nanomaterials discipline, many new pesticide drug-carrying systems—such as pesticide nano-metal particles, nano-metal oxides, and other drug-carrying materials—had been developed and applied to pesticide formulations. Although these new drug-loading systems are relatively friendly to the environment, the direct exposure of many metal nanoparticles to the environment will inevitably lead to potential effects. In response to these problems, organic nanomaterials have been rapidly developed due to their high-quality biodegradation and biocompatibility. Most of these organic nanomaterials were mainly polysaccharide materials, such as chitosan, carboxymethyl chitosan, sodium alginate, β-cyclodextrin, cellulose, starch, guar gum, etc. Some of these materials could be used to carry inorganic materials to develop a temperature- or pH-sensitive pesticide drug delivery system. Herein, the pesticide drug-carrying system developed based on polysaccharide materials, such as chitosan, was referred to as the pesticide polymer drug-carrying system based on polysaccharide materials. This kind of drug-loading system could be used to protect the pesticide molecules from harsh environments, such as pH, light, temperature, etc., and was used to develop the function of a sustained release, targeted release of pesticides in the intestine of insects, and achieve the goal of precise application, reduction, and efficiency of pesticides. In this review, the recent progress in the field of polysaccharide-based polymer drug delivery systems for pesticides has been discussed, and suggestions for future development were proposed based on the current situation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Surface Modification: From Structure to Properties)
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